Qlippoth
In the Zohar, Lurianic Kabbalah, and Hermetic Qabalah, the qlippoth are the representation of evil or impure spiritual forces in Jewish mysticism, the opposites of the sefirot. The realm of evil is called Sitra Achra in Kabbalistic texts.
In the Zohar
The qlippoth are first mentioned in the Zohar, where they are described as being created by God to function as a 'nutshell' for holiness. The text subsequently relays an esoteric interpretation of the text of Genesis creation narrative in Genesis 1:14, which describes God creating the moon and sun to act as "luminaries" in the sky. The verse "Let there be luminaries," uses a defective spelling of the Hebrew plural form for "luminous body, light source", resulting in a written form identical to the Hebrew word for "curses." In the context of the Zohar, interpreting the verse as calling the moon and sun "curses" is given mystic significance, personified by a description of the moon descending into the realm of Beri'ah, where it began to belittle itself and dim its light, both physically and spiritually. The resulting darkness gave birth to the qlippoth. Reflecting this, they are thenceforth generally synonymous with "darkness" itself.Later, the Zohar gives specific names to some of the qlippoth, relaying them as counterparts to certain sefirot: Mashhith to Chesed; Af to Gevurah; and Hema to Tiferet. It also names Avon, Tohu, Bohu, Esh, and Tehom, but does not relate them to any corresponding sefirot. Although the Zohar clarifies that each sefira and qelippa has a one-to-one match, even with equivalent partzufim, it does not give all their names.
In Hermetic Qabalah
Mathers' interpretation
's Latin Kabbala denudata equates these forces with the Kings of Edom and also offers the suggestion they are the result of an imbalance towards Gedulah, the Pillar of Mercy or the merciful aspect of God, and have since been destroyed. In subsequent Hermetic teachings, the qlippoth have tended, much like the sefiroth, to be interpreted as mystical worlds or entities, and merged with ideas derived from demonology.In most descriptions, there are seven divisions of Hell:
- Sheol or Tehom "the Deeps"
- Abaddon "Doom" or Tzoah Rotachat "Boiling excrement"
- 'Well of Corruption בְּאֵר שַׁחַת or Mashhith "destroyer"
- Cistern of Noise or "Sticky Mud/Filth"
- Silence or Gates of Death
- Oblivion or Shadow of Death
- Lowest Earth
Regardie and Crowley
According to Aleister Crowley, the three evil forms, are said to be Qemetial, Belial, and Othiel.Crowley and Israel Regardie list the qlippoth and their associated sephiroth on the tree of life as:
| Category | Sphere | Qlippoth | Meaning | Sefirah |
| Realm of Darkness | 1 | Thaumiel | "Twins of God" | Keter |
| Realm of Darkness | 2 | Ghogiel | "The Hinderers" | Chokmah |
| Realm of Darkness | 3 | Satariel | "Concealers" | Binah |
| Realm of Evil | 4 | Gha’ag Sheklah | "Smiters" | Chesed |
| Realm of Evil | 5 | Golachab | "Burners" | Gevurah |
| Realm of Evil | 6 | Thagiriron | "The Disputers" | Tiferet |
| Realm of Evil | 7 | A’arab Zaraq | "Corrosive Ones" | Netzach |
| Realm of Mud and Clay | 8 | Samael | "Poison of God" | Hod |
| Realm of Mud and Clay | 9 | Gamaliel | "Obscene Ones" | Yesod |
| Realm of Mud and Clay | 10 | Lilith | "Queen of Night | Malkuth |
| Gateway | 11 | Belial | "Worthless" | Da'at |